320 NOTES ON MIMOSEJX. 
than it could be made by any other limitations hitherto pro- 
posed, and certainly very much more clearly and easily 
defined. Even in the subdivision of the genus, imperfectly 
as a great number of the species are as yet known to us, it 
becomes necessary to rely more on foliage and habit than on 
the pod, however diversified may be the forms assumed by 
that organ. 
As to the distinction of species, I am aware that in many 
cases I have failed to give clear and positive characters ; but 
here again I have had great difficulties to encounter from the 
above-mentioned cause, our very imperfect knowledge of so 
many species. It is not till we shall have obtained speci- 
mens in flower and fruit at various stages of development, 
of the majority of tropical species, that we shall be able to 
ascertain the relative value and permanency of the various 
forms which present themselves. 
The following are the principal groups into which I have 
distributed the species of Acacia : 
SERIES L—PnvLLopiNE, foliis ad petiolos foliiformos 
reductis, rarius omnino nullis. (Australasicee). Spec. 1-204. 
$ 1. Aphylle, phyllodiis nullis. Spec. 1-2. 
$ 2. Alate, phyllodiis decurrentibus. Spec. 3—11. . 
S 3. Armate, stipulis spinescentibus, phyllodiis ex ovato ad 
lineare. Spec. 12—26. . 
$ 4. Triangulares, stipulis variis, phyllodiis parvis, angulo 1n- 
feriore mucronato, superiore sepe glandulifero. Spec. 
89 
§ 5. Pungentes, stipulis minutis v. nullis, phyllodiis ex lanceo- 
lato ad subulatum brevibus acuminato-pungentibus. Spec. 
40—61. 
* Capitatæ plurinerviæ. Spec. 40—48. ** Capitatæ uni- 
nerviæ. Spec. 49—56. *** Spicatæ. Spec. 57—61. 
§ 6. Calamiformes, stipulis subnullis, phyllodiis subulatis elon- 
gatis non pungentibus, inflorescentia capitata. Spec. 
62—69. 
§ 7. Brunioideæ, stipulis setaceis v. nullis, phyllodiis brevibus 
verticillatis v. sparsim confertis angustis teretibusve non 
pungentibus. Spec. 70—76, 
